Penalties worth Rs 7 crore imposed for pollution norm violations, says Sirsa

Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Saturday said 556 notices were issued and penalties worth Rs 7 crore imposed on various factories for flouting pollution norms.

Addressing a press conference, Sirsa said in the recent days, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) had conducted 1,756 inspections at construction sites, issued 556 notices, imposed penalties worth Rs 7 crore and enforced closure of 48 entities for non-compliance.

A total of 230 inspections were carried out in the last two days alone. The inspections were carried out at not just private entities, but also at sites maintained by government agencies such as MCD, PWD, DDA, DSIIDC and DMRC. Rs 1 crore show-cause penalties were imposed after they were found violating dust and waste control norms, the minister added.

Moreover, the MCD Divisional Commissioner has been directed to conduct surveys of non-conforming industrial areas and all construction sites, pinpointing the units flouting environmental norms, Sirsa added.

The Delhi Government has also adopted a no-tolerance policy against industries operating in non-conforming and residential areas in violation of environmental norms.

For the long term planning against pollution, the government continues to expand infrastructure for cleaner mobility and better road quality.

Registered electric vehicles have risen from 3.46 lakh (in December 2024) to 4.54 lakh (November 2025), reflecting the success of Delhi’s EV transition programme, the minister said.

Additionally, 18,000 potholes were repaired last year, compared to over 42,000 this year as part of the government’s commitment to dust-free, well-maintained roads.

Moreover, 350 new mist spraying systems have been installed on electric poles across the city, while 100 Mechanical Road Sweepers (MRS) and 1,000 litter pickers are being procured for MCD roads and colonies to maintain cleanliness more effectively in arterial roads with in residential areas as well, Sirsa added.

To combat open biomass burning, the DPCC has deployed 1,823 enforcement teams, including 536 for dust control.

“So far, 3,377 electric heaters have been distributed to 1,407 RWAs, and 10,000 heaters are being distributed overall to discourage open fires during winter,” he said.

Sirsa added that the Delhi Government will soon sign an MoU with IIT Delhi and IITM for a Pollution Source Apportionment Study to scientifically identify and address city-specific pollution sources which will further strengthen the government’s data-backed approach to air quality management.